City Councilor Felix Arroyo Joins Race For Mayor

The newest candidate announced his campaign launch during a meeting with the SEIU.

The list of candidates looking to step into Mayor Tom Meninoâ€™s role, once the longtime official’s 20-year reign comes to an end, continues to grow week by week, with the latest candidate, Councilor Felix Arroyo, promising to take on the challenge of â€śmoving Boston forward.â€ť

Last week, Arroyo, 33, sent out a letter to supporters stating he was considering a run for mayor. A week later, after receiving an â€śoverwhelming responseâ€ť from locals, he delivered an official announcement in front of 50 people, including members of the SEIU Local 615, making him the eighth candidate to enter the crowded race. â€śIf you believe, like I believe, in a Boston where everyone has opportunities to succeed, where we invest in all of our communities, where every child can receive a quality education, where we care for our elderlyâ€¦I ask that you join our campaign,â€ť Arroyo says of his bid for the mayoral seat.

Arroyo say he chose to make the announcement about his campaign at the SEIU Local 615 because thatâ€™s where he developed his skills as an organizer, working for janitors, security guards and building supervisors.

A day after his formal announcement, Arroyo made rounds on early morning news networks to solidify his candidacy. â€śI truly love this city, itâ€™s the only city I know, and it was this city that elected me as a young guy with a dream. Boston has given me many opportunities, and I am excited to give back,â€ť Arroyo said during an interview with NECN, adding that he wasÂ preparedÂ for theÂ competition.Â Arroyo told reporters he has learned a lot from the current mayor, Menino, and that he understands itâ€™s important to spend as much time in the community as possible in order to connect with constituents.

Arroyo is running on the slogan â€śForward With Felix,â€ť and plans on heading a grassroots campaign â€śpowered by committed volunteers and funded by small donors.â€ťÂ He joins a growing list of candidates, and is now up against other members of the city council, including District 5 City Councilor Rob ConsalvoÂ and City Councilor John Connolly, who was first to announce his candidacy even before Menino bowed out and said he wasn’t running.